Marriott family responds to murder idictments

DOVER - The parents of Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott, 19, issued a statement through their attorney on Monday following the indictment of Seth Mazzaglia, 30, of Dover, for her murder.

Bob and Melissa Marriott of Westborough, Mass. said the past several months have been difficult, but they are resolute in their demand for justice for their daughter, and defense of her life and legacy.

It is the family's understanding that the arrest warrants and affidavits may contain statements from Mazzaglia and others that are, in essence, "reprehensible, salacious and intentionally designed to suggest that Lizzi's murder was the accidental consequence of a bizarre, abnormal consensual act."

"The statements are a complete fabrication and are more indicative of Mr. Mazzaglia's twisted sense of reality and responsibility as opposed to Lizzi's character and the life she led for 19 years," the statement reads.

Police allege that the Mazzaglia strangled Marriott before, after or while engaged in the commission of, or while attempting to commit, felonious sexual assault.

Mazzaglia's girlfriend, Kathryn McDonough, 19, of Portsmouth, who also has been indicted in the case, allegedly told police the act was consensual.

The Marriott family said Mazzaglia's statements are at odds with many of the allegations of the indictment and should be viewed with "extreme skepticism."

They say Mazzaglia had several days from the time Marriott was murdered to concoct a "new reality" designed to help him.

"Common sense suggests that if one or two individuals accidentally injure another in a consensual act, the uninjured parties will immediately seek to assist the injured party or call 911. The fact that the defendants did neither in the instant matter is more indicative of a lack of consent by Lizzi concerning the circumstances of her death," the statement reads.

Police allege that Mazzaglia murdered Marriott in his Dover apartment on Oct. 9 and then tried to cover up the murder by dumping her body in the Piscataqua River off of Pierce Island in Portsmouth and lying to police about his whereabouts that night. McDonough has been indicted for hindering apprehension and/or prosecution and witness tampering.

The family said that Mazzaglia and McDonough's conduct after Marriott's death supports the conclusion that she never agreed to participate in high risk behavior with the defendants.

Marriott, a Westborough, Mass. native was living with an aunt and uncle in Chester while attending the University of New Hampshire when she disappeared on Oct. 9.

Her parents said she was secure in her life experience with a loving family and remarkable friendships that shaped her character.

"She was an incredibly kind and caring individual. What Mr. Mazzaglia, or any other, may suggest allegedly took place for a few minutes in a Dover apartment completely defies the reality of the 19 years of Lizzi's life as best attested to by her family, friends and community," the statement reads.

The family said they will decline all requests directed to them for comment on the criminal proceedings.